Frank DePietro - Artist Statement

The iconic nature of Water Lilies, as a subject of painting, allows me to create work relatively devoid of a narrative. A motif made famous by Claude Monet and represented in the art of numerous cultures throughout the ages, the water lilies possess a meditative sensibility, both symbolically and in their physical presence. Their conceptual simplicity puts focus on arrangement and in turn the act of painting itself.

Visually, I am drawn to the parallels Water Lilies create to the concepts inherent in painting. They present direct correlations between reality and illusion, as tangible objects floating on the flat reflections of the water. They encompass elements of still-life and landscape while allowing me to make abstract compositional considerations. I attempt to combine these elements, emphasizing vivid color and crisp shapes, in a technically sharp, realistic manner.